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US 2014/0193886 A1Published application
Surfactants that improve the cleaning of lipid-based stains treated with lipases
AssigneeDanisco US Inc.
InventorsChristian Adams, Katherine D. Collier, Michael Jay Pepsin, Brian Schmidt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Described are compositions and methods relating to the removal of oily stains from fabrics and other surfaces using a lipase in combination with a selected surfactant to mediate the release of fatty acids generated by the lipase. The compositions and methods have application in, e.g., laundry cleaning and dishwashing.
Claims23
A cleaning composition for removing oily stains, comprising:
- a) a lipolytic enzyme for hydrolyzing fatty acid esters present in the oily stain to produce free fatty acids, and
- b) a surfactant for solubilizing the free fatty acids in the cleaning composition, thereby releasing the free fatty acids from the stain,
- wherein the amount of release of fatty acids from the stain is greater than that achieved using an equivalent composition lacking the surfactant.
11-13. (canceled)
A method for removing an oily stain from a surface, comprising:
- contacting the surface with a lipolytic enzyme and a surfactant,
- hydrolyzing fatty acid esters present in the oily stain with the lipolytic enzyme to produce free fatty acids, and
- solubilizing the free fatty acids produced by the lipolytic enzyme with the surfactant,
- thereby removing the oily stain from the surface.
1 more element
23-24. (canceled)
26-27. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.